"Critics weren't sure what to make of Ima Robot when they debuted in the early '00s, with one memorably quipping they sounded like ""the Cars on PCP."" That's a fairly apt description. Blending old school New Wave, giving it punky vocals and energy and a radio-friendly pop sheen, Ima Robot's songs blow by you in a flash, as if they were in a race to get to the end of the song. But their music has had wide appeal among the eyeliner and skinny tie-wearing set, who can't seem to get enough of their quirky synthesizers and pop-punk guitars.The band formed in the early '90s as a hip-hop duo with vocalist and flashy dresser Alex Ebert and Timmy Andersen. Gradually, new members entered the band and changed the sound. Oligee, who specialized in electronics, joined up to make a more nervy New Wave sound. Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Joey Waronker were added as bassist and drummer, respectively. After much touring, the band finally inked a deal and issued their self-titled debut album in 2003.It made a splash among younger indie-rock listeners and the general scene crowd. The sheer energy of the band blew people away at their shows, and could easily get a crowd to pogo and dance throughout their entire set.Quite a bit of time passed, and the band eventually released a follow-up in 2006, Monument to the Masses. While their debut never even registered on the Billboard map, this shot up to 12 on the Top Electronic Albums chart. The lineup changed, with Flip Nickolic taking over guitar duties and Scott Devours pounding the skins. On the band's site, they unabashedly admit ripping off Joy Division's ""Love Will Tear Us Apart"" for ""Disconnect,"" one of the album's most popular tracks."